What does this quote mean to you.?

Question

"Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man." - Thomas Paine

This is an interesting read so I decided to share it.

http://www.deism.com/deism_defined.htm

Answer 1

It is true. The problem is that those who believe in a cruel God don't recognize his actions as such, and therefore, will be equally blind to their own cruelty (when done in the name of God).

Answer 2

Anyone who would believe in a "cruel" god would surely become cruel I would say. Not to point out a certain religion, but look at the extreme Muslims for example. Muhammad taught that allah stirred up "hatred and enmity against the people of the book until the day of redemption when God will show them what they have done" which is reference to the Christians and the Jews.

Answer 3

I am not familiar with Thomas Paine and only he truly knows what he seeks to teach by that quote as it must be part of his internal reality.

There is literally no culture in existence in human history that has a belief in God that has never manisfested itself in any way that could not be considered by someone as creul.

Buddhism and Hinduism are full of the Angry Gods and Gods of War, both male and female and From the Biblical or Quranic point of view God is both Merciful but punishing of his servents for their sins.

Again the intent of the quote can only speak to the mind set of the person saying it because it is the same idea that a cruel parent raises a cruel child and that may not always be the case, but what you consider to be a cruel Parent in North America might not be seen as a cruel parent in Tibet.

The same can be said for God and the lack of understanding of the nature of GOD.

There is equally enough teachings across the world to suggest the benevolent nature of God for mankind to strive to elevate his/her self toward that nature and kindness and compassion toward humanity as a whole and indeed all of creation.

This requires a genuine humility of the spirit and lack of ethnocentrism but above all the choice to embrace the divine nature of humanity and strive for that and the choice not to live on the lower levels of conciousness.

Humans need to stop blaming God for everything, use your minds intelligently, see with your hearts and do good to your fellow man.

Answer 4

I think it's generally true, but not true in all cases.

Believing that God can justify his/her cruel actions makes it easier for a person to justify his/her cruel actions, and I think this makes it more likely for people to act cruelly. However, I know there are some people who believe in the cruel OT God but aren't cruel themselves.

Answer 5

I agree with Vishal.

I think that is one of the reasons why I didn't agree with christian believes; where I would read in the bible that God is jealous and judgmental and so forth. I believe that as a parent is or should be a good role model to their children so should our image of God.

Answer 6

Makes sense, since most followers of a specific faith or deity want to reflect their deity or creator.

For instance in Christianity, God is love, Christians should love.

Answer 7

I would have to know the rest of the quote, so that we can see it in context and understand what Paine was speaking about. As presented it is too nebulous.

Answer 8

Eleventy has it right. This is why I have trouble respecting or even liking people that I know believe in and worship the monstrous God from the Bible.

Answer 9

Especially if you follow the Old Testament.

Answer 10

Case in point - Fred Phelps, hate monger in charge, of the Westboro Baptist fiasco. ie godhatesfags.com.